Vancouver Canucks' Zack Kassian (left), Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin celebrate Kassian's goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Wednesday January 30, 2013.

Photograph by: Darryl Dyck
, THE CANADIAN PRESS

Some usual suspects lurked. Zach Parise, Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa and Jeff Skinner all had five goals, four behind Marleau. Then there were the unusual suspects: Daniel Winnik of the Anaheim Ducks and Zack Kassian, the Vancouver Canuck sophomore who entered the season with four career goals.

The hulking Kassian appears to have transformed himself from project to first-line object. He's on the top unit with the Sedin twins both at regular strength and on the power play. He's still humble, too, and had a hearty chuckle when asked if he dared to dream about the Rocket Richard Trophy.

“No, no,” he said following practice Thursday. “I'm doing well now but obviously it's just six or seven games in. There is still a lot of work to be done. So far, I feel pretty good. Obviously playing with two great players and getting lots of ice time really helps. I'm definitely more comfortable offensively but it's only been two weeks and goals sometimes can come in bunches.”

Kassian, 22, was an elite prospect and drafted 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2009. He had 63 points and 136 penalty minutes in his draft year and his package of size – a listed 6-3, 214 pounds – toughness and skill proved irresistible. He won a Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010 and played for Team Canada in the 2010-11 world junior tournament.

He was not without pedigree.

“I came through the rankings as a player who was physical, hard to play against but also someone who could put up points,” Kassian said. “I think I'm just finding my game at the pro level. Obviously last year was just my first year professional and I was getting my feet under me. Right now, my confidence level is pretty high and I'm doing the things I think, and know, I can do.”

Surprisingly, only two of Kassian's five goals have been put on a platter for him by the Sedins. One was a total solo effort against Calgary while the other two were on feeds from defencemen Alex Edler and Dan Hamhuis. Maybe Kassian is cleverly using the Sedins as decoys, rather than the other way around.

On his goal Wedesday, he was abandoned by the Colorado Avalanche penalty killers and was able to manoeuvre himself into scoring position for an easy re-direct of the Hamhuis feed.

“The twins kind of sucked all the play to them,” Kassian said, insisting they deserve credit even though they didn't earn assists. “They created the whole thing. They won a battle along the wall and did everything to get the puck back to the point.”

Alex Burrows blossomed into a scoring star playing alongside Henrik and Daniel and sees no reason why Kassian can't do it as well.

“He's a big body with really smooth hands and he's surprising a lot of people,” Burrows nodded. “He's got a really good set of skills and it's fun to see. I think he's only going to get better. Once he builds on that confidence and knows he can do it on a nightly basis, he's going to be a force in this league. He's a big part of this team already.”

TALE OF DALE: Canuck grinder Dale Weise, who was involved in a fight Wednesday with the Avs' Cody McLeod, missed practice Thursday with what coach Alain Vigneault explained was a stiff neck. His status for Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks was in doubt.

“If we had to play tonight (Thursday), I don't think he'd be able to but, with treatments, there is a good chance he'll be able to go,” Vigneault said. “Obviously I'm hoping that Dale is in the lineup. He's played well for us lately, but if he's not, I'm sure we'll be fine in that physical aspect.”

Andrew Ebbett took Weise's spot in Thursday's practice, skating with Mason Raymond and rookie Jordan Schroeder on a smurf line.

NO NAME GAME: It appears Vigneault was not impressed with some of his players' preparation, or lack of it, during the four-month lockout. He refused to name names, although anyone who witnessed the group skating at UBC throughout the work stoppage might hazard a guess he meant the Sedins, Chris Higgins, Hamhuis, Manny Malhotra and Kevin Bieksa.

“You see some guys are still trying to find their legs, still trying to find their hands and still trying to find their reads on the ice,” said Coach Vee. “That's an on-going process right now and we have to be a little patient.”

Henrik and Higgins have yet to score while Malhotra and Bieksa don't have a point. But Jannik Hansen and Weise, who did play in Europe, are also without a goal and Malhotra has been outstanding in the faceoff circle at 70.9 per cent. Hamhuis has five points, offset by a minus-3.

Vancouver Canucks' Zack Kassian (left), Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin celebrate Kassian's goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Wednesday January 30, 2013.

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